THERE have been renewed calls for tougher hare coursing sentences across Wiltshire – this time by the police and crime commissioner (PCC).
This comes after two men, who pleaded guilty to hare coursing in Wiltshire, were fined £300 each and told to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
Current sentencing for hare coursing carries an unlimited fine and a maximum of six months in prison.
PCC Philip Wilkinson has added his voice to those who think sentencing for anyone found guilty of hare coursing needs to be strengthened, with a consultation by the sentencing council on the matter ending on April 25.
“Wiltshire Police has adopted a whole force approach when dealing with rural crime, and this has begun to produce significant results in terms of arrests,” he said.
“Along with Operation Ragwort, a joint initiative which tackles rural crime with our neighbouring forces, this approach has been met with a positive response from our residents.
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“I feel it is important we maintain that level of confidence across the criminal justice system, and I have written to the new chair of the Wiltshire Magistrates Bench to express this.
“We know that rural crime is linked to organised crime groups, and by disrupting their illegal leisure activities, we can put a dent in their operations.”
In Dorset, new legislation – Section 63 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act of 2022 – was used to convict a 52-year-old man was found guilty of trespassing with intent to search or pursue hares with dogs.
He was ordered to pay more than £900 in costs.
A recent BBC report showed a video posted on social media of a Wiltshire couple being attacked by hare coursers, who rammed their car and fired ball bearings through their windows.
In the same report, another farmer said he genuinely thought someone would end up being killed.
The National Farmers Union has given their members a deadline of April 4 to fill in their own consultation so they can make their own representations to the sentencing council.
And now Mr Wilkinson is urging rural communities in Wiltshire to make sure their voices are heard.
He said: “The physical and psychological harm caused to farmers by hare coursers is considerable. Hare coursers have no qualms about the damage they cause, whether it’s physical, emotional or financial.
“This is why I believe the sentencing of these crimes must match the robust nature of our policing and take fully into account the effect it has on its victims.
“By taking a firm stance against hare coursers, it sends a strong message that we are united in our efforts to protect our rural communities.”
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